Blessed are Those who Mourn

Introduction. Throughout the Scriptures we find people who stood out! Men and women had qualities that caught God’s attention and led Him to use them in important ways. Abraham was called “My friend” (Isa. 41:8; Jas. 2:23). Moses was “faithful in all My house” (Num. 12:7; Heb. 3:2-5). God said of Job “there is none like him in all the earth” (Job 1:8). Daniel was “greatly beloved” (Dan. 9:23; 10:11, 19) and Mary was “blessed among women” (Lk. 1:28). “God shows no partiality!” (Acts 10:34). Anyone with the characteristics that made these people special will also be special.

Jesus captured all this in the word “Blessed.” Its definition of “supremely blest; by extension: fortunate, well off, happy, honored by God,” makes those who possess these qualities special to God. Since Jesus said “blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted,” we need to understand what causes this mourning and how and what we should be mourning over in our daily lives.

The grammar Jesus used helps us better understand His intent. He chose a participle. Since a participle is a verbal adjective, it takes the action of a verb and changes it into a description; thus the action of “mourning” becomes the adjective “the mourning ones.” This present active participle is used when describing continuous action. Thus at any time or on any day when mourning is appropriate, the blessed will be mourning.

Yet the Eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39), and Paul told us to “rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). This has led some to conclude the mourning Jesus discussed ceased after conversion. For how can we “rejoice always” and also be the “mourningones?” The truth is our heart is big enough for both because circumstances in life will bring both.

The preaching of the gospel always begins with a sorrow that leads into joy. The good news of salvation is prefaced with the terrible news that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Who can hear such words and remain unmoved? When we learned, “you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He you shall die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24) we grieved. Only the “mourning ones” will obey the gospel. Our mourning led to obedience, gave us the comfort and joy of salvation, and made us great in the sight of God.

But sin and its forgiveness is not a once in a lifetime event. We still sin after we obey the gospel and with every sin, we must feel the same godly sorrow leading to repentance as we felt when we obeyed the gospel. This is what Paul told the Corinthians: “your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation” (2Cor. 7:9-10). The deeper the grief, the more sincere the repentance. Only when we feel godly sorrow after each sin can we be forgiven, and only after forgiveness can we be comforted. Such mourning is very precious in heaven. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Lk. 15:10)

So we mourn again and again every time we each sin. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart — These, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:17). We must feel the remorse, sorrow and grief for falling short. The only way to avoid such mourning would be to no longer sin. But we will never be able to do that. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jn. 1:8-9). Refusing to mourn only reveals arrogance, not maturity! “And you have become arrogant, and have not mourned instead, in order that the one who had done this deed might be removed from your midst” (1Cor. 5:2).

Conclusion. “Being miserable,” “mourning” and “weeping” are the only means sinners have of “drawing near to God.” Only when our “laughter is turned into mourning” and our “joy into gloom” can God “exalt” us: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (Jas. 4:8-10)

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